by Amnesty International. In 2007 the European Court of Human Rights ruled that the case breached Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, as well as Article 6.1 (right to a fair trial). In 2002 Birdal was one of the founders of the Socialist Democratic Party, becoming its chairman, but stepped down after becoming Vice President of the International Federation for Human Rights. In July 2007, he stood as an independent candidate in the Turkish parliamentary elections and entered the Turkish Parliament, representing Diyarbakır. His candidacy was supported by the Thousand Hopes Candidates alliance. Following his election, he joined the Democratic Society Party (DTP) and for the Municipal Elections of March 2009, he was the DTP candidate for the Mayorship of Istanbul but he was not elected. Later in 2009, he joined the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP). Awards Jaime Brunet Prize for Human Rights (1999) References 1948 births Living people People from Niğde Democratic Society Party politicians Democratic Regions Party politicians Deputies of Diyarbakır Turkish human rights activists Amnesty International prisoners of conscience held by Turkey Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights European Court of Human Rights cases involving Turkey Members of the 23rd Parliament of Turkey Turkish prisoners and detainees Politicians arrested in Turkey